Virgil van Dijk is Jurgen Klopp's first move in attempt to iron out defensive problems
Liverpools defence provided Jurgen Klopp with a number of conundrums last season.
James Milner was deployed as first-choice left-back for the campaign after Alberto Morenos horror show at Arsenal on the opening day while summer signing Loris Karius dislodged Simon Mignolet as No 1 goalkeeper in September.
But that only led to a string of error-strewn displays leading to the Belgian returning by December. A vulnerability from set pieces was also a recurring theme.
Liverpools advances for Southamptons Virgil van Dijk underlines Klopps desire to iron out their problems at the back ahead of a return to the Champions League. Sportsmails Dominic King profiles what could change before next season.
Weaknesses. It has been their fallibility from set plays. Over a third of the goals they conceded (36 per cent, 15 out of 42) in the Premier League came from them.
It is a problem that stretches back before Klopps arrival in October 2015. But they finished the season by keeping five clean sheets in six games, though, the best run they have had for some time.
Simon Mignolets return to the side in goal has seen him produce some of his best displays at Liverpool, while the central defensive pairing of Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren makes the back four look much more assured.
So what do they see in Virgil Van Dijk?. He is a Klopp type of defender and his performances against them last season at St Marys were outstanding.
He was man of the match in the goalless draw on the south coast in November, when Manchester City sent a scout to specifically watch him, and in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final there was one moment when he brushed Sturridge aside as if he wasnt there.
The Holland international is big, strong, powerful and reads the game superbly. Its a lot of money, to put it mildly.
But Liverpool wont bankrupt themselves - they finished last summer in profit with their dealings - and they will recoup a big chunk when they sell Sakho. How would Van Dijk change Liverpools defence?.
The battle is going to be between Lovren and Matip to be his partner, assuming the transfer goes through and Southampton are not going to make this easy for Liverpool.
Everything would point to Lovren being his partner as Klopp was ultra-defensive of him when it was reported that they had given Croatian a new contract.
You also dont give someone £100,000 per week for the next four years to sit on the bench.
Lovren, though, needs more consistency and Matip will not be easily dislodged given he was assured after arriving 12 months ago. Matips issue has been the need to stay fit. Could James Milner stay as left-back?.
Will they sign a new one? It is the question likely to dominate the summer at Anfield. Ryan Bertrand, another Southampton defender, looks nailed on for City and Liverpool have been beaten to Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon by Tottenham.
You have to wonder as well why Klopp never made a bid for Sead Kolasnic, who Arsenal have just signed from Schalke, given how well he knows the German market.
Milner was reliable last season and Klopp gave the following quotes on January 20.
We are always looking for players but in this moment we have two left backs – Milly is one and Alberto Moreno the other. Our situation is this position is really comfortable. Milly is still able to play other positions.
Left full-back is a position where you can never have enough. If youre looking for one you wont find one. If youre not looking sometimes you get one or two opportunities to have one but it is about having the right one..
Moreno looks to be surplus to requirements but there have been no concrete enquiries for him as yet. Is Mignolet under threat from Karius again?.
Mignolet isnt popular but he didnt do a lot wrong towards the end of last season and he was directly responsible for Liverpool winning six points - a total which effectively got them into the top four.
He believes his career changed with the performance in the 2-1 comeback win at Stoke on April 9. He knows there will be scrutiny when he comes back but is ready for the fight.
There is a good chance Danny Ward will return to newly-promoted Huddersfield on a season long-loan, while Karius still has questions to answer.
Klopp also said the following in March when he was asked directly whether he would sign a goalkeeper in the summer.
'I am happy with our goalkeepers,' said Klopp. 'It is how it always is in football. It is all about players. We have young players in behind including Danny. Our situation is as good as possible.'.
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